Sager introduces new Montevina notebooks

Sager Computer recently introduced several new notebook computers based on the newly-available Intel ‘Montevina’ platform. The Montevina platform includes the new Intel PM45 chipset and ICH9M core logic, along with updated Core 2 processors and the new Intel 5300 wireless card.

Sager notebooks are built-on Clevo and Compal notebooks. Sager notebooks are only available in the United States, however they can be found under different designations worldwide. For information on resellers and the company in general, please see the Clevo Guide.

The following new Sager models have been introduced:

NP8660 – 15.4" high-end gaming, available for pre-order. ETA early August

NP7680/NP7660- 15.4" mainstream, available now

NP7220 – 12", available now

NP5796 – 17" high-end gaming, available now

NP2096 – 15.4" gaming, shipping Late July

All new models are available with the Montevina Core 2 Duo processors, which have clock speeds ranging from 2.26 – 2.8GHz, with a 1066MHz FSB and 3MB or 6MB of L2 cache. "P" processors have a 25W TDP, and "T" processors a 35W.

All models also include the following:

2GB Intel Turbo Memory (Robson) available

Built-in Bluetooth 2.0+EDR

Integrated 2.0 MP camera

Built-in Fingerprint reader

Windows XP or Windows Vista available

Some details regarding Turbo Memory:

Turbo Memory 1GB (Ver. 1.0) was on the original Centrino systems, and was divided into 2x 512MB, 512MB to Vista Ready Drive, and 512MB to Vista Ready Boost. It had its minor boosts under Windows Vista if it was used to Windows Vista specifications.

With the launch of Intel Centrino 2, Turbo Memory got upgraded from Ver. 1.0 to Ver. 2.0 (2GB/4GB). However only the 2GB module with driver version 1.6.1.1004 has been released. At this time when the 2GB module is paired with the 1.6.1.1004 driver will not show much of improvement as it is being utilized just as turbo memory ver. 1.0 was. (512MB to ready drive / 1.5GB to ready Boost).

The true turbo memory ver. 2.0 requires a driver software update that will be released by Intel, with the rough ETA of sometime in Q3 08 or Soon. Once this driver update is released you will then have the option to select how the 1.5GB of space should be used between the following 2 options, Vista Ready Boost or Intel Pinning.

What Intel Pinning does is you will be given a dashboard that will allow you to drag and drop your most used applications or files into the turbo memory module (it is smart enough to not duplicate files already pinned. The whole Office 2k7 suit will only take up about 600mb) and it will remain in the module, until removed from the dashboard by the user.

This will make the 1.5GB space a mini SSD for your most used applications and from internal testing this has shown a great performance boost in the application load time for the applications that has been pinned.

Turbo Memory 2.0 is quite a great alternate Mini SSD drive for the cost. Intel needs to finalize the new driver and makes a public release.

NP8660(view large image) The NP8660 is a powerful 15.4" gaming notebook. It starts at $1,542 and the following specifications:

15.4" WSXGA+ glossy or WUXGA matte widescreen display

Graphics options:

ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3870 512MB (standard)

Nvidia GeForce 9800M-GTS

Nvidia GeForce 9800M-GT

DDR3-1066 RAM (4GB max.)

Blu-ray drive available

8-cell Li-ion battery

7.1 lb including battery, 2 – 2.5 hours battery life

The ETA for the NP8660 is expected for early August. The ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3870 is expected to be available at the end of August.

NP2096(view large image) The NP2096 is a 15.4" gaming notebook with pricing around $1,000. It has the following specifications:

15.4" WXGA or WSXGA+ glossy widescreen displays

Nvidia GeForce 9600M-GT 512MB

DDR2-800 RAM (4GB max.)

Blu-ray drive available

9-cell 7200 mAh Li-ion battery, 3.5+ hours life

6.5 lb including battery

The NP2096 will start shipping in late July.

NP5796(view large image) The NP5796 is a refreshed version of the previous NP5793, which we reviewed here. It is a 17" high-end gaming notebook starting at less than $2,000.

Notice the NP5796 is available with the Intel Core 2 Extreme X9100 3.16GHz processor, which is overclockable in the BIOS. The NP5796 is available now.

NP7680/NP7660(view large image) The NP7680 and NP7660 are 15.4" notebooks targeted at the non-gaming mainstream customers. It features the latest technology and value price points. The NP7680 starts at slightly over $900 and the NP7660 less than $800. The only differences between the two are that the NP7680 features Nvidia GeForce 9300M-GS 256MB dedicated graphics and an available WSXGA+ resolution display, while the NP7660 features Intel GMA X4500 integrated graphics and a WXGA resolution display.

15.4" WXGA or WSXGA+ glossy widescreen display (NP7680 only)

Graphics options:

Nvidia GeForce 9300M-GS 256MB (NP7680)

Intel GMA X4500 (NP7660)

DDR2-800 RAM (4GB max.)

6-cell battery; 2.5+ hours life

Both the NP7680 and NP7660 are available now.

NP7220(view large image) The NP7220 is the most portable notebook Sager offers. It has a 12" display and weighs 4.1 pounds with battery. It starts at less than $850.

12" WXGA glossy widescreen display

Intel GMA X4500 graphics

DDR2-800 RAM (4GB max.)

4-cell battery; 1 – 1.5 hours life; optional 8-cell has 2+ hours

Other News

The NP9262 desktop replacement has been updated with more advanced specifications.

8GB DDR2-667 RAM now available, or 4GB of DDR2-800

Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 3.16GHz processor now available and is the base processor

Nvidia GeForce 9800M-GT now available in single GPU/SLI options

Single 9800M-GTX 1024MB available; No ETA on SLI, the motherboard may need to be updated to handle two cards